Japan tour with added comfort
Late availability on these dates: 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 30 Aug, 01 Sep, 06 Sep, 08 Sep, 10 Sep, 15 Sep, 17 Sep, 18 Sep, 24 Sep, 26 Sep, 01 Oct, 02 Oct, 11 Oct, 16 Oct, 18 Oct, 19 Oct, 20 Oct, 23 Oct, 25 Oct, 27 Oct, 29 Oct, 30 Oct, 01 Nov,...
Description of Japan tour with added comfort
Many Japanese words have different meanings depending on the context, and we like to think there are different ways to understand a Japan tour with added comfort. You will enjoy physical comfort throughout, whether it’s travelling by fast, convenient shinkansen (bullet) trains, or staying in a ryokan inn with your own private onsen hot spring. But you will also enjoy the comfort of being warmly welcomed wherever you go. A series of locally led experiences give you a far deeper understanding of Japanese culture than most small group tours manage.
Your adventure begins in Japan’s capital, Tokyo. In truth, you could spend two weeks here alone, and never be bored for a moment. But two nights here are plenty to take in a raft of highlights, one of which is sure to be a guided tour of the outer Tsukiji Fish Market. Explore with a local tour leader filling in the details on where the seafood originates, before taking part in a fun and informative sushi-making lesson with a local chef.
From Tokyo you take a short train journey south-west to the mountainous hot spring town of Hakone. Here, you’ll enjoy what will definitely be one of the most talked-about experiences of your stay. This evening you will stay in a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan). Each bedroom has its own private hot spring bath (onsen), set within attractive greenery, and there are several restaurants serving fresh regional cuisine.
Leaving Hakone, take your first trip on a bullet train to the alpine town of Takayama, an Edo-era, riverside community known for its traditional inns and sake. A very scenic spot to base yourselves for a few days as you explore old villages in the countryside, and naturally taking every opportunity to sample the local food and drink. Here the advantage of keeping group sizes to just 12 becomes very apparent – you can dine in small, locally owned restaurants throughout, whereas larger groups are much more limited in where they can eat.
A stop in Hiroshima features a sobering visit to the A-bomb Dome, combined with entry to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Hiroshima has a positive outlook on the future, with a citywide focus on promoting world peace
Your Japan tour comes to an end in Kyoto. Here, you will visit a prestigious Zen Buddhist temple to take part in a guided meditation session. Mind freed, take a tour of Gion, with its wooden houses, and learn about geisha culture, and then a stroll around the immense Fushimi Inari shrine with its ‘path of the red gates’.
This tour offers a great introduction Japan’s culture. With a knowledgeable local tour leader, carefully chosen experiences, and travel by train that puts you alongside local people going about their daily lives, you’ll enjoy the comfort of feeling welcome wherever you go.
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Responsible Travel
Planet
The vast majority of the transport used on this trip is public transport in the form of trains and subways in the cities, to public buses in the more rural areas. This reduces our environmental impact and allows us group to travel like the local do. This trip has a maximum group size of 12, and we never exceed this. Japan has a vigorous recycling system in place. The tour leader will help our travellers to dispose of their waste correctly and this system is also followed in the hotels we use. Travelling in small groups means we have a lower environmental impact on the locations visited, using fewer resources and leaving less waste behind. This tour includes our highest rated tour leaders, who not only have incredible knowledge of local culture and history but also the local fauna and flora, acting as advocates for our style of travel and the natural environment.Since 2018 we have been certified as a B Corp. Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Unlike other certifications for businesses, B Lab is unique in our ability to measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact.
People
This trip supports the local community and economy in a range of ways. One of these is by eating at local restaurants, cafes and markets through this trip. We include a visit to Tsukiji Outer Market, the tour leader will provide insight into the produce that goes into the local cuisine, and the group attend a sushi making class from a 4th generation sushi family, to learn about the art and history of this Japanese cuisine. The food scene in Takayama is unique and we ensure our travellers enjoy this authentically by stopping off at local food stalls and visiting the market in The Gifu region. The Gifu region is known for its production of high-altitude vegetables, and local women have been travelling in from the countryside to sell their produce for more than 600 years, our group will learn about their history and buy purchase food from them for their lunch.Another ay we support the local community and economy is by using a local leader throughout, as well as local specialised guides. This trip includes a visit to Daitokuji Temple – the head temple of the Daitokuji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism – built about 800 years ago. The group take part in a short guided meditation session, then enjoy a cup of green tea while speaking to a monk about the philosophy of Zen Buddhism and the art of meditation, dedicated to finding inner peace. This is not an experience all travelers get to enjoy and is only possible due to our smaller group size and desire to ensure our travelers experience an integral part of Japanese culture. We also visit the renowned Gekkei-kan Sake Brewery. With centuries of local history built into its beautiful wooden halls, Gekkei-kan is considered Japan’s industry leader in both the tradition and innovation of sake creation.
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